JPS62254739A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents
Ultrasonic probeInfo
- Publication number
- JPS62254739A JPS62254739A JP9907786A JP9907786A JPS62254739A JP S62254739 A JPS62254739 A JP S62254739A JP 9907786 A JP9907786 A JP 9907786A JP 9907786 A JP9907786 A JP 9907786A JP S62254739 A JPS62254739 A JP S62254739A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- coupling agent
- container
- bag
- acoustic coupling
- ultrasonic probe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 title claims description 26
- 239000007822 coupling agent Substances 0.000 claims description 31
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000019198 oils Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004359 castor oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019438 castor oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000011187 glycerol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- ZEMPKEQAKRGZGQ-XOQCFJPHSA-N glycerol triricinoleate Natural products CCCCCC[C@@H](O)CC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)OC[C@@H](COC(=O)CCCCCCCC=CC[C@@H](O)CCCCCC)OC(=O)CCCCCCCC=CC[C@H](O)CCCCCC ZEMPKEQAKRGZGQ-XOQCFJPHSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004006 olive oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000008390 olive oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002504 physiological saline solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002545 silicone oil Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004575 stone Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004381 surface treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた
め要約のデータは記録されません。(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
（産業上の利用分野）
本発明は超音波診断装置に電気的に接続して用いられる
超音波探触子に関し、更に詳しくは、音響カップリング
剤を被検体との界面に供給することのできる超音波探触
子に関するらのである。Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe used by being electrically connected to an ultrasound diagnostic device, and more specifically relates to an ultrasound probe that is used by being electrically connected to an ultrasound diagnostic device. This paper concerns an ultrasonic probe that can be applied to an interface.
（従来の技術）
超音波撮動子から放射された超音波信号は、空気中には
殆ど伝搬しない。それ故に、従来より、超音波探触子と
被検体との間に水を介在させる水浸法や、ジェット・水
流を放出させるウォータージェット法、或いは、被検体
に音響カップリング剤を塗布する手法等があった。又、
特公昭６０−５４０５８号公報にみられるように、超音
波プローブの診断面であって、超音波信号の進路を避け
た位置に孔を設け、この孔から音響カップリング剤を流
出させるようにしたものもある。(Prior Art) Ultrasonic signals emitted from an ultrasonic sensor hardly propagate in the air. Therefore, conventional techniques include water immersion methods in which water is interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject, water jet methods in which a jet or water stream is emitted, or methods in which an acoustic coupling agent is applied to the subject. etc. or,
As seen in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-54058, a hole is provided on the diagnostic surface of the ultrasonic probe at a position away from the path of the ultrasonic signal, and the acoustic coupling agent is made to flow out from this hole. There are some things.
（発明が解決しようとする問題点）
しかしながら、水浸法やウォータージェット法は汎用性
がなく、又、音響カップリング剤を塗布する手法は作業
が煩雑で、且つ面倒である。又、特公昭６０−５４０５
８号公報のものは、−音響カップリング剤を流出させる
ための特殊の構造の超音波プローブが必要であり、又、
−日雇音波診断作業を開始したら、音響カップリング剤
を追加供給することが困難であるという問題点がある。(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the water immersion method and the water jet method are not versatile, and the method of applying the acoustic coupling agent is complicated and troublesome. Also, special public service 1986-5405
The method of Publication No. 8 requires an ultrasonic probe with a special structure to flow out the acoustic coupling agent, and
- There is a problem in that it is difficult to supply additional acoustic coupling agent once the day labor sonogram diagnosis work has started.
本発明は、このような問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、
その目的は、特殊の構造とする必要はなく、又、超音波
信号の送受を行っている最中でも音響カップリング剤を
供給することのできる超音波探触子を実現することにあ
る。The present invention was made in view of these problems, and
The purpose is to realize an ultrasonic probe that does not require a special structure and can supply an acoustic coupling agent even while transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals.
（問題点を解決するための手段）
前記した問題点を解決する本発明は、被検体との間で超
音波信号の送受波を行う超音波探触子であって、前記超
音波信号の送受波面を覆うように配設され内部に音響カ
ップリング剤が収容される袋状容器と、この袋状容器の
底部に設けた超音波信号の波長に比べて十分小さい直径
の少なくとも１つ以上の孔とを備えたことを特徴とする
ものである。(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic signals to and from a subject. A bag-like container arranged to cover the wavefront and containing an acoustic coupling agent therein, and at least one or more holes with a diameter sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal provided at the bottom of the bag-like container. It is characterized by having the following.
（作用）
袋状容器内に収容された音響カップリング剤は、超音波
探触子を被検体に接触し押圧することによって加わる圧
ツノにより、容器底部に設けた小孔を通ってじわじわと
流出し、容器底部と被検体との間に侵入して両者間を密
着させる。(Function) The acoustic coupling agent contained in the bag-like container gradually flows out through the small hole provided at the bottom of the container due to the pressure horns applied when the ultrasound probe contacts and presses the subject. The probe enters between the bottom of the container and the subject to bring them into close contact.
（実施例）
以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施例を詳細に説明する
。(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
第１図は本発明の超音波探触子の一例を示す構成断面図
である。図において、１は超音波振動子、２はこの超音
波振動子１の裏面に設けられたバッキング部材、３は整
合層で、これらは従来より公知の超音波探触子を構成す
る。４は超音波信号の放射面を覆う袋状の容器で、内部
に音響カップリング剤５が収納されている。６は袋状容
器４を超き波探触子本体に装着させるための装着手段で
ある。FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an ultrasonic transducer, 2 is a backing member provided on the back surface of the ultrasonic transducer 1, and 3 is a matching layer, which constitute a conventionally known ultrasonic probe. 4 is a bag-shaped container that covers the ultrasonic signal emission surface, and an acoustic coupling agent 5 is housed inside. Reference numeral 6 denotes a mounting means for mounting the bag-like container 4 on the super wave probe body.
袋状の容器４には、被検体７に接触する底部に、少なく
とも１つ以上の、超音波波長に比べて十分に小さい例え
ば５〜１０μｍ程度の直径の小孔（図示せず）が設けら
れている。このような小孔付の袋状容器の材料としては
、例えば、マイクロポーラスフィルム（例えば商品名と
して、ボアテックス社のボアテックス、ポリプラスチッ
クス社のジュラガード、住友電気工業の７０口ボア等が
ある）が使用できる。尚、これらの材料は何れも多孔性
物質であるが、表面処理等することによって、親水性の
ものと疎水性のもの等各種できる。The bag-shaped container 4 is provided with at least one small hole (not shown) having a diameter of about 5 to 10 μm, which is sufficiently small compared to the ultrasonic wavelength, at the bottom that contacts the subject 7. ing. Examples of materials for such bag-like containers with small holes include microporous films (for example, product names include Boretex from Boretex, Duraguard from Polyplastics, and 70-bore from Sumitomo Electric Industries, etc.). ) can be used. Although all of these materials are porous, they can be made into various types, such as hydrophilic ones and hydrophobic ones, by surface treatment.
又、無数の孔は規則的・不規律」的と各種使用可能であ
る。ここで無数の小孔付きの袋状容器とする場合、無数
の孔の分布は規１１１ｊ・不規則何れでもよいが、分布
状態に超音波波長の１／４波長と比べられるような長さ
を単位とする程度のうねり等がないことが望ましい。又
、疎水性物質を用いる場合、孔の占積率は、５０％以下
と小さいことが望ましく、孔の配列ピッチは例えば５〜
１０μ糟程度と細かいことが必要である。In addition, the countless holes can be used in various ways, both regular and irregular. In the case of a bag-like container with countless small holes, the distribution of the countless holes may be either regular or irregular, but the length of the distribution can be compared to 1/4 of the ultrasonic wavelength. It is desirable that there is no waviness to the extent that it can be used as a unit. In addition, when using a hydrophobic substance, the pore space factor is desirably as small as 50% or less, and the pore arrangement pitch is, for example, 5 to 50%.
It is necessary to make it as small as about 10 μm.
袋状容器４内に収納する音響カップリング剤５としでは
、水（市水、脱気水、生理食塩水）、油（ひまし油、オ
リーブ油、シリコンオイル、フッ素オイル）、高級アル
コール（グリセリン等）等が使用できる。The acoustic coupling agent 5 stored in the bag-like container 4 includes water (city water, deaerated water, physiological saline), oil (castor oil, olive oil, silicone oil, fluorine oil), higher alcohol (glycerin, etc.), etc. can be used.
このような構成の超音波探触子を、被検体７に図示する
ように接触させ、押圧すれば、袋状容器４内に収容され
ている音響カップリング剤５は加圧されて小さな孔から
流出し、被検体７との接触面に、常に侵入する。従って
、超音波Ｓ動子１は整合ｌ１１３及び音響カップリング
剤５を介して、被検体と＆Ｉ学的に密着し、効率良く超
音波信号の送受波が行える。この時、袋状容器４の底部
に設けた小孔の存在は、その大きさが５〜１０μｍ程度
で、ｉＢ音波信号には何ｌυら影響しない。When the ultrasonic probe having such a configuration is brought into contact with the subject 7 as shown in the figure and pressed, the acoustic coupling agent 5 housed in the bag-like container 4 is pressurized and ejected from the small hole. It flows out and constantly invades the contact surface with the subject 7. Therefore, the ultrasonic S moving element 1 is in close contact with the subject through the matching l113 and the acoustic coupling agent 5, and ultrasonic signals can be transmitted and received efficiently. At this time, the presence of the small hole provided at the bottom of the bag-shaped container 4 has a size of about 5 to 10 μm and does not affect the iB sound wave signal in any way.
超音波探触子と被検体との接触を解くと、袋状容器４内
の音響カップリング剤５は加圧されず、外部に漏出する
には至らない。尚、袋状容器４の底部に設けられている
小さな孔の大きさは、前述したように超音波信号の波長
に比べて十分に小さい範囲で、且つ音響カップリング剤
５の粘性等の関係に応じて、被検体に押しつけ、加圧し
て初めてじわじわと漏れ出るような所定の大きさが選定
されるものとする。又、孔の形状は必ずしも円形でなく
ともよい。When the contact between the ultrasound probe and the subject is broken, the acoustic coupling agent 5 in the bag-like container 4 is not pressurized and does not leak to the outside. The size of the small hole provided at the bottom of the bag-like container 4 is within a range that is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal as described above, and is determined depending on the viscosity of the acoustic coupling agent 5, etc. Accordingly, a predetermined size is selected so that it gradually leaks out only when it is pressed against the subject and pressurized. Further, the shape of the hole does not necessarily have to be circular.
第２図及び第３図は本発明の超音波探触子の他の例を示
す構成図である。FIGS. 2 and 3 are configuration diagrams showing other examples of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention.
第２図の実施例では、袋状容器４の側壁部に、音響カッ
プリング剤５を容ｓ４の内部に供給するための逆止め弁
付きの供給孔４１を設けたものである。In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a supply hole 41 with a check valve is provided in the side wall of the bag-like container 4 for supplying the acoustic coupling agent 5 into the interior of the container s4.
このような構成とすることによって、超音波診断作業を
中断することなく、音響カップリング剤の追加供給を、
この供給孔４１を介して、図示するように音響カップリ
ング剤が入ったチューブ８から容易に行うことができる
。With this configuration, additional supply of acoustic coupling agent can be made without interrupting ultrasound diagnostic work.
Through this supply hole 41, it can be easily carried out from a tube 8 containing an acoustic coupling agent as shown.
第３図の実施例は、袋状容器４を剛性材料で構成し、こ
の容器の底部に小さな孔を設けたものである、尚、底部
は、これに代え、第１図実施例で示したような小さな孔
付の膜材料としてもよい。In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bag-like container 4 is made of a rigid material, and a small hole is provided at the bottom of the container.Instead, the bottom is the same as that shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is also possible to use a membrane material with small holes such as
又、この袋付容！！１４に音響カップリング剤５の供給
路４２と、音響カップリング剤５を容器内に強制的に供
給するためのポンプ４３を設けたものである。ここで、
ポンプ４３は、例えばフットスイッチ等によって、オン
／オフされ、このポンプ４３の加圧によって底部小孔か
らの音響カップリング剤の流出を制御するようにしても
よい。Also, this bag is included! ! 14 is provided with a supply path 42 for the acoustic coupling agent 5 and a pump 43 for forcibly feeding the acoustic coupling agent 5 into the container. here,
The pump 43 may be turned on and off by, for example, a foot switch, and the outflow of the acoustic coupling agent from the bottom small hole may be controlled by pressurizing the pump 43.
尚、この実施例において、貸付容器４に、更に音響カッ
プリング剤５の排出路を設け、容器４内の音響カップリ
ング剤５が、供給路と排出路を介して環流するように構
成してもよい。この場合、音響カップリング剤５が超音
波探触子を冷却する作用をも行うので、超音波探触子の
Ｉ！石上昇を抑圧乃至は防止することができる。In this embodiment, the rental container 4 is further provided with a discharge path for the acoustic coupling agent 5, and the acoustic coupling agent 5 in the container 4 is configured to circulate through the supply path and the discharge path. Good too. In this case, the acoustic coupling agent 5 also acts to cool the ultrasonic probe, so that the I! Stone rise can be suppressed or prevented.
（発明の効果）
以上説明したように、本発明は袋状容器の底部に超音波
信号の波長に比べて十分小さい大きさの小孔を設け、こ
こから音響カップリング剤が漏れ出るようにしたもので
ある。従って本発明によれば、超音波探触子自体を特殊
な構成とする必要はなく、又、袋状容器に供給孔を設け
れば、超音波診断中でも音響カップリング剤を供給する
ことのできる超音波探触子が実現できる。(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention provides a small hole at the bottom of the bag-like container that is sufficiently small in size compared to the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal so that the acoustic coupling agent leaks out from the hole. It is something. Therefore, according to the present invention, there is no need for the ultrasound probe itself to have a special configuration, and by providing a supply hole in the bag-like container, the acoustic coupling agent can be supplied even during ultrasound diagnosis. An ultrasonic probe can be realized.
第１図乃至第３図は本発明の超音波探触子の一例を示す
構成断面図である。
１・・・超音波振動子 ２・・・バッキング部材３・
・・整合層 ４・・・袋状容器５・・・音響カ
ップリング剤
７・・・被検体 ４１・・・供給孔４２・・・
供給路 ４３・・・ポンプ特許出願人 横河メデ
ィカルシステム株式会社−１３図
２；バッキング部材
３；整合層
４、袋状容器
５；音響カップリング済
第１ 図
第２ 図
１４階波瘍動子
２；バッキング部材
３；！Ｉｉ台層
４、袋状容器
５７ＷＩ＃カンプリング済
７；躯木一本
１；層音波振動子
２；バッキング部材
３；整合層
４１袋状容器
５１音曹カツプリング済
７；模検体1 to 3 are cross-sectional views showing an example of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention. 1... Ultrasonic vibrator 2... Backing member 3.
... Matching layer 4 ... Bag-shaped container 5 ... Acoustic coupling agent 7 ... Test object 41 ... Supply hole 42 ...
Supply path 43... Pump patent applicant Yokogawa Medical Systems Co., Ltd. - 13 Figure 2; Backing member 3; Matching layer 4, bag-shaped container 5; Acoustic coupling completed Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 14 Order wave insulator 2;Backing member 3;! Ii base layer 4, bag-shaped container 57 WI #combined 7; one tree 1; layer sound wave oscillator 2; backing member 3; matching layer 41 bag-shaped container 51 sound-coupled 7; mock specimen
Claims (3)
探触子であって、前記超音波信号の送受波面を覆うよう
に配設され内部に音響カップリング剤が収容される袋状
容器と、この袋状容器の底部に設けた超音波信号の波長
に比べて十分小さい直径の少なくとも１つ以上の孔とを
備えたことを特徴とする超音波探触子。(1) An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound signals to and from a subject, which is arranged to cover the transmission and reception surface of the ultrasound signals and contains an acoustic coupling agent inside. An ultrasonic probe comprising a bag-like container and at least one hole provided at the bottom of the bag-like container and having a diameter sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of an ultrasonic signal.
するための逆止め弁付き供給孔を有することを特徴とす
る特許請求の範囲第１項記載の超音波探触子。(2) The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the bag-like container has a supply hole with a check valve for supplying the acoustic coupling agent from the outside.
するための供給路と音響カップリング剤を排出するため
の排出路とを有し、袋状容器内の音響カップリング剤が
強制環流できるように構成されていることを特徴とする
特許請求の範囲第１項記載の超音波探触子。(3) The bag-like container has a supply path for supplying the acoustic coupling agent from the outside and a discharge path for discharging the acoustic coupling agent, so that the acoustic coupling agent inside the bag-like container is forced to circulate. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic probe is configured such that it can perform the following steps.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP9907786A JPS62254739A (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-04-28 | Ultrasonic probe |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP9907786A JPS62254739A (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-04-28 | Ultrasonic probe |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS62254739A true JPS62254739A (en) | 1987-11-06 |
Family
ID=14237855
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP9907786A Pending JPS62254739A (en) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-04-28 | Ultrasonic probe |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS62254739A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2015100663A (en) * | 2013-11-28 | 2015-06-04 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic imaging device |
-
1986
- 1986-04-28 JP JP9907786A patent/JPS62254739A/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2015100663A (en) * | 2013-11-28 | 2015-06-04 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic imaging device |
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